Bavarian Mountain Hound

The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a medium sized, deep-chested scent hound that originates from Bavaria in Germany.

Bavarian Mountain Hound breed group

Hound

Size of the Bavarian Mountain Hound

Medium

Country of Origin

The Bavarian Mountain Hound was originally developed in Germany in the 1800s.

Bavarian Mountain Hound Breed introduction and overview

Also known as a Bayrischer Gebirgsschweishund, this dog is rarely seen in the UK. They are still worked by foresters and game wardens today in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Bavarian Mountain Hound temperament

The breed is generally placid, with a gentle, and slightly sensitive nature. It can be a little aloof with unfamiliar dogs and strangers, but rarely aggressive. The Bavarian Mountain Hound tends to form a very close bond to his master, and does not appreciate being left alone for long periods of time. He is reputed to be good within the family environment, and is normally loving and tolerant around children. Due to its strong hunting instinct contact with other small pets and animals should be avoided.

Colour Varieties of the Bavarian Mountain Hound

The Bavarian Mountain Hound comes in a small variety of colours and markings which include:

Deer Red

Deer Red with Black Mask

Stag Red

Stag Red with Black Mask

Size and weight of the Bavarian Mountain Hound

Height bitch 44-48 cms

Height dog 47-52 cms

Weight (kilos) bitch 20-25kgs

Weight (kilos) dog 20-25kgs

Exercise requirements of the Bavarian Mountain Hound

The Bavarian Mountain Hound is an energetic and athletic breed that requires at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise daily off the lead.

Bavarian Mountain Hound coat length and grooming requirements

The short glossy coat sits close to the body. The short no-fuss coat requires little grooming, although a regular brushing with a good quality bristle brush will add a lovely sheen to the coat.

Ears should be checked and cleaned regularly for any sign of infections and foreign bodies such as ticks.

Hypoallergenic?

No. Although the Bavarian Mountain Hound has a very short and tight coat, the breed does shed hair steadily throughout the year, making it an unsuitable choice of dog for allergy sufferers.

Health Issues in the Bavarian Mountain Hound

With so few Bavarian Mountain Hounds owned in the UK it’s difficult to establish all the problems that may exist in the breed, and how common these conditions actually are. The following health issues however have been noted in the breed:

Hip Dysplasia - A malformation of the hip joint, has been found in the breed, so ensure your puppy has been hip scored.

Entropion

Epilepsy

As with all pedigree dogs, it is very important to obtain a puppy from a reputable source where you can be guaranteed that it has been bred with a view to avoiding the inherent physical and psychological diseases of the breed.

Average lifespan of the Bavarian Mountain Hound

A healthy Bavarian Mountain Hound should expect to enjoy a life expectancy of around 10-12 years.

Approximate Bavarian Mountain Hound pedigree puppy price

No current information is available as litters are extremely rare. Indeed, just 75 puppies were registered with the Kennel Club in 2015. Register your interest with established reputable breeders, so they can notify you when a litter is expected. You may have to travel long distances to find your suitable puppy. There are generally 1-8 puppies in the average litter.

Estimating how much an Bavarian Mountain Hound would need to be fed each day

A dog or bitch weighing between 25kgs will require around 330gms of complete dry food daily. A dog or bitch weighing 25kgs will cost around £8 per week to feed. Our figures are based on feeding an ‘above average quality’ and popular complete dry food bought from a leading supermarket. A good quality feed is suggested for the energetic dogs in the hound group.

Other financial costs to consider when owning any dog breed

Remember to budget for essential pet treatments and procedures that are not covered by pet insurance policies including: